The council has refused to comment after parking chaos outside a country park, as people almost missed a funeral due to traffic delays.
The council has stayed silent following parking mayhem outside California Country Park in Finchampstead, where traffic delays nearly caused someone to miss a funeral.
This past week, huge queues formed along Nine Mile Ride during a Halloween Fun Day hosted by JL Events. Drivers and buses alike were stuck in heavy traffic.
Local resident Olive Law faced difficulty reaching a funeral due to the congestion, claiming: “Cars had to wait ages for a gap in the flow of traffic; it was chaos.”
The chaos was exacerbated by road closures on Nine Mile Ride for ongoing electricity works, set to finish by October 31.
Wokingham Borough Council, responsible for the roads, declined to comment, while Thames Valley Police has been approached for a statement.
Residents expressed concerns on social media about whether the park has enough parking for large events. With around 300 spaces, including 19 for disabled visitors and four for electric vehicles, some argue the park is not adequately equipped. Heather Dove noted that insufficient parking prompts people to spill into the streets, while Jackie Wilkins suggested many avoid paying the parking fees by opting for residential areas instead.
Parking costs £2.40 per hour for up to three hours and a flat rate of £9.60 for longer stays. Reports also surfaced of enforcement officers issuing fines to vehicles parked improperly.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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